The French Connection

 As part of our on-going Comenius Radionet Project a group of pupils accompanied by 2 teachers Mr O’Reilly and Ms Lee travelled to our partner school in Sillé le Guillaume near Le Mans, France for 4 days.

The group flew to Paris and went from there on the TGV- a high speed train- to Le Mans where they were met by the French teachers and host families.

The following few days were highly enjoyable and very eductional. The students went to school each day with their french hosts and experienced life as a French student – starting school at 8 a.m , dining in the canteen, attending class.  There was also time for sight-seeing and aswell as a tour of Sillé and its surrounding countryside and beautiful châteaux.  The group went to Le Mans for more sight-seeing a visit to the old city of Le Mans the famous 24 race track and of course some very important shopping.

During their visit the students had an opportunity to experience at 1st hand all they had learnt about the French way of life as well as practising and improving their french.

One of the many highlights included the experience of taking part in a radio programme which was recorded in the radio station in Sillé and broadcast later that evening.  Despite initial nerves all the students and teachers spoke very well in French and Irish!

 Some of the comments expressed by the students on their return were:

1.      Aoife Fox-It was a most wonderful trip-the friendliness of everyone the delicious crêpes! And of course it really brought the French language to life “Quelle Belle Langue!”

2.      Danielle Mc Govern- It was a really great experience. We got to see their school and stay in french houses.

3.      Eamon Walsh- It was really interesting to experience French culture, customs and way of life.

4.      Louise Fitzpatrick- All the students and staff were very helpful and my French family was really lovely.

5.      Ciara Doonan- I had a great time! I practised and improved my french; making the radio programme was great even though it was nerve-wrecking and i hope to keep in touch with my new french friends.

6.      Aisling Duignan- My trip to France was really unforgettable. It was a great opportunity to meet young french people and to discover what a french school is like as well as living with a french family for a few days and sampling “La Cuisine Française!”

7.      Shauna Cullen- Our trip was fantastic from beginning to end. It was really hectic and as well as sampling French culture and learning new french words we had shopping, Ice-skating, discos and Quad racing too.

8.      Matthew Murphy- I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to France and it has increased my interest in learning French. I can’t wait to go back to France again on our tour in a few months time!

Overall the visit to our partner school was very successful, enjoyable and educational. The students would like to say a big “Meci Beaucoup” to the teachers who travelled with them- Mr O Reilly and Ms Lee to their french teachers Mrs Early and Mrs Gillen who organised the trip and to the staff and students in Sillé as well as all the host families.